Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip says his side must improve its consistency within matches if it hopes to make an impact in the upcoming Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
Melbourne Heart FC Head Coach John van ‘t Schip says his side must improve its consistency within matches if it hopes to make an impact in the upcoming Hyundai A-League Finals Series.
The Red and White continued its stuttering run of second half performances when it squandered a two-goal lead during last weekend-s clash with Sydney FC at AAMI Park.
While a draw was ultimately sufficient to virtually cement Heart-s place in the Finals Series, with only a catastrophic eight-goal defeat at Hindmarsh Stadium putting pay to the side-s ambitions, van ‘t Schip said the team-s second half display was unacceptable.
“To be good in the finals, we have to be good in both halves,” he said.
“It-s something we will work on this week as it-s important to enter the finals with a good feeling. We have to prepare for the game against Adelaide in a really good way.”
Van ‘t Schip dismissed suggestions Heart-s second half struggles were physically related, citing the side-s distinct decline in performance from the opening moments of Saturday-s second stanza.
Heart was immediately on the back foot upon commencement of the final 45 minutes, struggling to maintain the tempo or intensity which earned the side a two-goal advantage.
“I think, if you see the start of the second half, you can-t say it-s because you-re tired, as you-re coming out of the dressing room with a 15 minute rest,” he said.
“We played very sloppily, not concentrated and we weren-t winning our personal battles. We were dropping very deep and weren-t pressing from the front.
